Lake Mead Fishing Report: Stripers Biting Early, Bass Slow But Persistent Anglers Succeed

For those planning to hit Lake Mead today, October 18, 2024, here’s what you need to know: ### Conditions The water level at Lake Mead is currently 165.48 feet below full pool, so be mindful of the reduced water depth. The weather is expected to be warm, with temperatures reaching the mid-80s, and plenty of sunshine. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at 5:53 PM, giving you a full day on the water. ### Fish Activity Striped bass are active around dawn and dusk, providing lively action during the cooler hours. Yesterday, anglers reported good top-water action for striped bass in the Overton Arm, with some groups catching up to 85 stripers and keeping around 26. The largest ones were nearly 4 pounds. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing remains slow but persistent anglers have found success around Las Vegas Bay using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits. Channel catfish and carp are also being caught, particularly in the late afternoon near Hemenway with anchovies and corn. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, hard plastics in shad patterns are the lure of choice, especially when thrown to a boil. Live shad or shad imitations also work well. Top-water lures are effective in the morning and evening. For largemouth and smallmouth bass, dark-colored soft plastics and topwater poppers are recommended. ### Hot Spots - **Overton Arm**: This area has been seeing good top-water action for striped bass. - **Las Vegas Bay**: Persistent anglers have found success here for largemouth and smallmouth bass using topwater poppers and Chatterbaits. - **Hemenway**: This spot is promising for catfish and carp, especially in the late afternoon with anchovies and corn. Remember to stay hydrated, as the summer temperatures can still be quite high, and be cautious of the windy conditions that can make the lake rough. Enjoy your day on Lake Mead This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.